Cloud urges both parties to listen to voters

State senator cites household costs, health care and responsible governing in postelection message

State Sen. Heather Cloud urged both political parties to listen to voters and address the financial pressures facing families and small businesses in a public Facebook post following the Nov. 3 election.

“I knew this election would be tough,” Cloud wrote before outlining her views on costs, immigration, government subsidies, health care, religious freedom and foreign policy.

“Families and small businesses simply cannot keep up with rising fuel, electricity, groceries, and everyday household expenses,” she wrote.

Cloud said health insurance costs present another serious challenge.

“Middle-class families simply cannot afford private health insurance, and small businesses cannot afford to provide it for their employees,” she wrote. “I know because I live it! This is a serious problem. Healthcare isn’t optional.”

She also criticized what she described as unnecessary government subsidies and corporate handouts while small businesses struggle.

On immigration, Cloud called for greater attention to the circumstances of individual families.

“We’ve become too aggressive in some areas, failing to distinguish between criminals and hardworking, taxpaying immigrant families,” she wrote.

Cloud said she personally knew Pentecostal Hispanic friends who had left conservative areas because they feared deportation.

“We cannot lose sight of the human side of this issue,” she wrote.

Discussing economic policy, Cloud said she believes most Americans occupy the political middle, particularly on fiscal issues.

“Most Americans still embrace free markets and capitalism while rejecting socialism,” she wrote. “They want opportunity, economic freedom, and common sense.” Cloud also expressed opposition to transgender surgeries for minors and biological males competing in girls’ sports. She emphasized religious liberty and opposed the imposition of religious laws.

Regarding the Iran war, Cloud argued against prolonged military involvement and nation-building. “Americans don’t want endless wars,” she wrote. “Go in, eliminate the threat, handle business, and get out. No more nation-building or drawn-out conflicts costing American lives and taxpayer dollars.” Cloud said economic pressures were influencing voters’ decisions, while cautioning against focusing on a single issue.

“People are voting with their pocketbooks, and many have become single-issue voters,” she wrote. “Understandable, but dangerous when we lose sight of the bigger picture.” Her message to both political parties was direct: “LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE!”

“They want affordable healthcare, lower costs, lower home and auto insurance, clean and protected water, reasonable utility bills, safe communities, and the freedom to work hard and prosper,” Cloud wrote.

“This election was a mandate to be heard, not a mandate for either party to ignore the people and commence with extreme governing and policy making.”

Cloud closed by congratulating those elected and offering a prayer for responsible leadership.

“My prayer is that common sense prevails, that we govern responsibly, and that we bow not to a political party, but to the Great I AM.”